Orville Mouse and the Puzzle of the Last Metaphonium

by Tom Hoffman

  Brother Solus retired early, after giving Orville and Sophia a stern lecture regarding the physical and spiritual benefits of going to bed at sunset and rising at dawn. Orville did his best to listen attentively, but his thoughts kept drifting back to the puzzle of the vanishing caterpillars.

  With Brother Solus retired for the night, the three adventurers sat around the blazing campfire discussing the events of the day.

  “Let’s think about this. Puella the Wise One told Orville I would face my greatest fear in Elysian and we ran into the caterpillars. Once I remembered why I was so scared of them, they vanished.”

  “Do you think remembering what happened somehow made them disappear?”

  “I don’t know. Mice dream about things they love and things they fear, but this isn’t a dream, it’s a synthetic physical world we entered through the Metaphonium.”

  “Maybe we should have some tasty little cakes. That might help us think better.”

  Sophia laughed, thwacking Orville’s arm. “I’m going to tell Brother Solus and you’ll get in big trouble.”

  Proto rose to his feet, stretching his great silver arms.

  “I believe I shall take a relaxing stroll through the woods. Even in a lovely forest such as this, we must remain ever vigilant. Ebenezer did say a great many of the worlds he visited were filled with the most dreadfully fearsome snakes, most of them quite venomous I should imagine.”

  Orville grinned as Proto disappeared into the woods, the grin fading rapidly when he realized the possible implications of what Proto had just said. Was it coincidental that Ebenezer was terrified of snakes and the synthetic worlds he visited were filled with them?

  As Proto strolled through the shadowy trees searching for dreadful nocturnal predators, his thoughts began to wander.

  “It is odd that Puella the Wise One knew Sophia would confront those caterpillars, her greatest fear. Quite curious. I suppose it has something to do with that inner self Sophia is always talking about. Perhaps Puella’s inner self was able to glean information from a vantage point outside of space and time. There is clearly a scientific explanation for events such as this, but it currently eludes me.”

  He stopped short when he saw the crumpled ball of paper lying on the forest path.

  “That’s strange, another paper like the one Orville dropped. I’m quite certain Mum only gave him one note.” His eyes narrowed. “Only one note that I know about. Maybe there were others.”

  He frowned, scooping up the ball of paper.

  He spread the note open and flicked on his ear lights.

  I wish he would leave.

  The paper fluttered to the ground, Proto’s arm falling to his side. Who was Mum talking about? Was she talking about him? Were they tired of him, did they want him to move out? He slumped down to the forest floor, his back against a gnarled tree trunk. He did not want to move back to the Cube and live with the glowbirds.

  “Maybe I did something wrong. I should help more around the house, prepare only their favorite meals, not try new recipes. I shouldn’t have teased Orville about the poisonous vegetables, maybe that upset Mum. I should plant a new vegetable garden with familiar vegetables, not ones from the Cube. I’ll clean the house more thoroughly, help Mum more with the errands.”

  Proto spent most of the night composing a comprehensive list of all the things he could do to win back the favor of Orville, Mum and Papa. He had no idea where he would go if they sent him away. They were the only family he had.

  Proto did not mention the disturbing note during breakfast the next morning, attempting instead to be as congenial as possible.

  Brother Solus had risen with the sun and was ready to go, his face stern and unsmiling.

  Orville nudged Sophia, whispering, “I think he wants to leave.”

  The adventurers were soon striding along the forest path, Orville balancing a plate of flapcakes on one paw while eating with the other.

  “Yummy breakfast, Proto. Thanks for making it.”

  “Nothing is more important to me than making delicious meals and tasty snacks for you and Mum and Papa.”

  “Thanks, but don’t forget, you don’t have to do all the cooking. We can take turns if you get tired of it.”

  “Oh, good heavens no, I wouldn’t hear of it, I’m ever so happy to do all the cooking. And the cleaning and laundry.”

  “If you really want to, I guess.” Orville gave Sophia a sideways glance, sending her a thought cloud.

  “Why is Proto being so nice?”

  “I don’t know, I guess he just wants to be helpful. That’s how he was programmed, to be really friendly.”

  Brother Solus stopped in his tracks a hundred feet ahead of them, calling out, “I’m afraid we have encountered a rather formidable obstacle.”

  Orville darted down the trail, catching up to Brother Solus. In front of him lay a vast blue ocean stretching out to the horizon.

  Chapter 17

  The Elysian Inn

  “You never mentioned anything about crossing an ocean.”

  “Elysian is a land of unending surprise.”

  Orville was growing weary of Brother Solus’ cryptic remarks, none of which were helping them find Aislin.

  “How do we get cross it?”

  Brother Solus shrugged. “It all depends.”

  Orville’s jaw tightened. Brother Solus was supposed to be guiding them to the Great River, but he clearly had no idea where he was going.

  Proto scanned the shoreline. “There is a small fishing village two miles to the south. Perhaps they will have a ship capable of an ocean crossing.”

  “This is way bigger than the Vesarak Sea. It would take months and months to cross it in a little fishing boat.”

  Sophia strode down the sloping ridge leading to the coastline. “Unless Proto has a Dragonfly in his pack we don’t have much choice.”

  It took the adventurers two days to push through the thick tangled foliage.

  “Creekers, this beach grass is really sharp and taller than I am. I can’t see anything, and these thorny bushes are even worse.”

  “I’d be happy to carry you.”

  “Proto, no one is going to carry me. I’m a Metaphysical Adventurer, not a mouseling.”

  “Oh dear, I hope I didn’t offend you.”

  “You don’t have to do everything for me. You’re my friend, not my servant.”

  “Your friend?”

  “What’s wrong with you?”

  “Nothing at all. We’re almost there, I can see the beach.”

  Proto broke through the last of the dense brush, emerging onto a pristine white sandy beach.

  “How lovely, quite stunning.”

  Orville stumbled out of the thorny thicket, flopping down on the warm sand.

  “This is more like it. Look at all these seashells, they’re amazing. I’ll take some back for Mum, she loves seashells. I hope the ocean isn’t full of creepy centipede fish creatures like the Senyph Ocean was.”

  He picked up a flat stone and walked down to the water’s edge, skimming it across the waves. A sparkling silver fish leaped out of the water, disappearing a moment later with a small splash.

  “That doesn’t look too scary, it’s just like the Vesarak Sea. I hope the fishing village has a big sailing ship, one with comfy bunks we can sleep in.”

  “And a restaurant that serves tasty snacks and gives foot rubs?”

  Orville laughed. “I didn’t think of that. If I’m going to wish I may as well wish for something really good. How about a crusty old friendly sea captain who smokes a pipe and has a parrot on his shoulder and lets us ride on his ship for free? Oh, and maybe a–”

  “Enough chattering, I should like to arrive at the fishing village before nightfall. A good night’s sleep washes away the tribulations of the day.”

  “Sorry.”

  Orville was wondering if Brother Solus even knew how to laugh. He had a sudden thought, maybe Brother Solus was like Ebenezer Mouse, maybe he was cra
bby and humorless because something had happened to him in the past. Maybe he had lost someone he loved like Ebenezer had. He sped up until he was strolling alongside Brother Solus.

  “It’s a beautiful beach isn’t it? We have beaches a little like this on the Vesarak Sea that my mum and papa used to take me to when I was little. It was lots of fun swimming in the ocean. We didn’t have all these seashells though. Some of them are amazing.”

  Orville reached down and scooped up a large white spiral seashell with a gleaming pink interior.

  “I’m going to take home a few for my mum. She loves seashells.”

  Brother Solus nodded. “An admirable sentiment, very thoughtful indeed, but over the years I have learned it is best not to tamper with nature. By picking up that one seashell you may inadvertently be forging a chain of events which will lead to the destruction of the known universe.”

  Orville set the seashell back down on the sand. It was best not to tamper with nature? Where had Brother Solus learned that?

  “So you have no memory at all of how you got to Elysian? Do you think you came here from another world? My friend Amanda Mouse said Okeanos is a name from the ancient mythologies, it’s supposed to be a place that exists in the Borderlands, between the world of the waking and the world of dreams.”

  “These matters are not suitable for discussion. I will not speak of them.”

  “Okay, sorry, it’s probably just some old mythology stuff anyway.”

  Something sparked an idea in Orville. If Amanda was right, and Okeanos existed between the world of the waking and the world of dreams, wouldn’t it hold qualities of both? Maybe Sophia was on to something, maybe the caterpillars appeared because they were her greatest fear, just as they would in a dream. If that was true, it would also make sense that when her fear of caterpillars was gone, the caterpillars would disappear. The image of a gigantic black shiny centipede popped into his head. He sincerely hoped his theory about Elysian was wrong.

  The sun was setting when the adventurers strolled into the fishing village.

  “Whoa, mice live here, and they’re wearing old fashioned clothes. The buildings look like they came out of my history book.”

  A thought cloud flashed over to Orville. “There should be Mintarians living here, not mice. And why would they be living in a fishing village that looks like Muridaan Falls?”

  Brother Solus strode down the cobblestone street, stopping in front of a white three story building. He eyed the green sign that hung above the door.

  THE ELYSIAN INN

  Comfortable lodging at affordable rates.

  “This looks quite presentable, clean and tidy. The sign in the window says they provide both evening and noonday meals. This should prove more than adequate.”

  He swung the door open and stepped inside, the others following.

  Orville scanned the inn’s interior.

  “It’s nicer than I thought it would be. ”

  In the center of the inn’s lobby was a long wooden table covered with books, half a dozen mice quietly reading in comfortable stuffed chairs. Sophia stepped over to the table, curious about the books.

  “This is interesting, they have some really good science books here. I wonder why a little seaside inn would have books about deep physics? Oh my, this one is a signed first edition. Orville, could you get us rooms while I look through these?”

  Brother Solus picked up a heavy green book.

  “Marvelous, a comprehensive history of the Mintarian Gray Monks.” He took a seat, opening the book.

  Orville stepped over to the front desk and dinged the little silver bell. A plump mouse dressed in a dark tweed suit hurried out of the back room, greeting Orville with a warm smile.

  “Good afternoon, young sir. How may I be of assistance to you?”

  “Are there any rooms available? We’ll need them for one or two nights.”

  “Of course. I have four rooms available for two nights, and our rates are quite reasonable. One silver for all four rooms, including noonday and evening meals.”

  “One silver? That’s more than reasonable. I’ll take all four rooms. Our Rabbiton friend doesn’t sleep, but he does like to read at night.”

  Orville had purposefully mentioned Proto, curious as to how the clerk would react.

  “I understand completely. Four rooms for two nights, meals included. I will include breakfast since your Rabbiton does not eat.”

  “You’ve seen Rabbitons before?”

  “Of course, I am quite familiar with them. Many of our guests have traveled great distances to visit Elysian. All are welcome at the Elysian Inn.”

  “Thanks. How long has your inn been in business? It’s very nice, we were lucky to find it.”

  “I thank you for your most gracious comment. Providing comfortable lodging at reasonable rates has always been our top priority. Let me think, how long has the inn been in business? Well, it’s been here for as long as I can remember, and I’ve been here for quite some time.”

  Orville smiled politely, sliding a silver across the counter.

  The clerk smoothly picked up the coin and handed Orville four brass keys numbered one through four.

  “Your keys, good sir. Just let us know when you would like your meals and our chef will prepare them immediately.”

  Orville pocketed the keys, thanking the clerk. He walked across the lobby to find Sophia snuggled in a comfy chair, a large open book in her lap.

  “What are you reading?”

  “This is amazing. It’s a rare first edition of The Seventh Medallion, the story of Bartholomew the Adventurer’s journey to the lost planet of Thaumatar. It’s fascinating reading, I’ll have to tell Madam Molly about it. She’s been to Thaumatar.”

  Orville wasn’t listening. Something was off.

  “Sophia, something’s not right. They only charged us one silver for four rooms. That’s four rooms for two nights with all meals included, all for one silver. Back in Muridaan Falls one meal for one mouse would cost at least a silver. And think about it, why would they have rare signed first edition books lying around in the lobby? And why doesn’t the desk clerk know how long the inn has been in business? He said the same thing Brother Solus did, he’s been here as long as he can remember. That doesn’t tell me anything.”

  Sophia looked up from her book. “What?”

  Orville groaned. “Nothing, go back to your adventure book. I got us four rooms. I’ll ask the clerk about booking passage on a ship.”

  “Thanks.” Sophia flipped a page, once again lost in her book.

  Orville made his way back to the front desk. He rang the silver bell and the desk clerk popped out of the back room.

  “Good afternoon, young sir. How may I be of assistance to you?”

  “Are there any ships in port that make ocean crossings? We’re trying to book passage on one.”

  The clerk rubbed his furry chin, scrunching his face.

  “My best guess would be old Captain Tobias down at Pier 29. He’s quite a character and they say he knows the Great Sea like the back of his paw. He’s the one I would talk to.”

  “Thanks so much for your help, we’ll head down to Pier 29 first thing in the morning and talk to Captain Tobias.”

  Chapter 18

  Old Captain Tobias

  Sophia stifled a yawn as they walked down the cobblestone lane leading to the harbor. “I’m so tired, I hardly slept at all last night.”

  “You do seem a little lethargic. Get it? Lethargic?”

  “Yes, Orville, I get it, lethargic was one of your words for the day. Are you still learning a new word every day?”

  “Not since you told me I didn’t need to use big words to impress you.”

  “I’m glad. I think you’re amazing, even with your tiny little vocabulary.”

  “Excuse me? You’re being rather capricious.”

  “Stop, I’m too tired. I stayed up half the night reading that book about Bartholomew the Adventurer’s expedition to Thaumatar.
It was really interesting. Maybe one day Madam Molly will take us there.”

  “That would be fun, but only if she promises not to read my mind. Oh, I told Brother Solus we’d be back in time for lunch.”

  Proto strode up alongside Orville. “A lovely fishing village, remarkably similar to Muridaan Falls with its quaint cobblestone lanes. We should have an excellent view of the harbor from the top of this hill.”

  “We’re looking for Pier 29. The harbor must be really big to have that many piers. Muridaan Falls only has three.”

  Sophia was the first to crest the hill. She scanned the harbor, a puzzled expression on her face.

  “Orville, you said Pier 29?”

  “That’s what the desk clerk told me.”

  “The harbor only has one pier.”

  “Huh?” Orville darted up the hill next to Sophia. “You’re right, one pier. That’s weird, it doesn’t make sense.”

  “Maybe it does make sense. What’s your address in Muridaan Falls?”

  “It’s 29 Brimbleberry Lane, you know that.”

  “You house number is 29 and the only pier they have is Pier 29. Amanda said Okeanos is in the Borderlands, the land between wakefulness and dreams. If Elysian is simultaneously a real world and a dream world, coincidences like this would make perfect sense.”

  “I was thinking the same thing. Hey, if it’s part dream, maybe that means we can’t get hurt here. You always say we can’t get hurt in a dream. Wouldn’t that be great?”

  “Should I kick you in the shins so we can find out?” Sophia burst out laughing.

  “Very funny. I’m going to try something.” Orville stooped over and picked up a heavy moss covered rock.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m performing a scientific experiment to determine if this is really a dream world.”

  “This doesn’t seem like a very well thought out experiment.”

  “Even though it seems kind of real, I’m pretty sure Elysian is mostly a dream world and I can’t get hurt.” Orville held the big stone directly over his foot.

  “Orville, this is a very, very bad idea.”